Chapter 11: The Final Battle

Hanabi sat on the ground, Higanbana placed in front of her. Ninjas formed a barrier around her, protecting her from harm until she got the first half of her task done. She blocked out other sounds, focusing on Higanbana, and she saw a river up ahead, everyone else gone. 

This was the realm of the people who had been sealed inside the weapon, and Hanabi knew there was no more time to waste. 

She didn't know what to do exactly, but she faced the river, and swore allegiance to Higanbana, offering her body in exchange for more power. 

Nothing happened at first, then power swept through Hanabi, and she was back in the battle. She couldn't think clearly, but just repeated one sentence inside her head over and over again. "Defeat Hanzo." She looked around and saw him slashing through the people to her, and she lunged towards him. 

Hanzo blocked her attacks with the Ame no Habakiri, and he realised that she had become stronger, more agile. He smirked. "You did the same thing as me, didn't you?" Hanabi didn't answer. She wondered how long it had been since they started fighting. She suddenly disappeared from view, the last step of her plan about to be carried out. 

Higanbana sliced through the air behind Hanzo, and he blocked it but felt warm liquid on his chest. Blood. His blood. Hanabi was standing in front of him, her eyes blurry with tears as she whispered, "I'm sorry." One of her soul scrolls was in his chest, and Hanekage was growing smaller as energy was drained from Hanzo. 

Hanzo fell down and Hanabi wrapped her arms around him, whimpering, "I'm sorry." Hanzo smirked. "Who would've thought it was you," he said. With a sob, Hanabi said, "Why did you have to be the traitor?" Hanzo tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed her gently, before his hand dropped to his sides. 

"Idiot! Wake up!" Hanabi cried, hugging him. "Please..."Kagura and Hayabusa found her, and the Chiefs joined them. Kagura patted Hanabi on the shoulder and everyone watched silently. Hanekage was gone, but so was the akuma ninja. 

[One month later... ]

"Kagura!" Hanabi burst into the Onmyouji Master's room, shaking her awake. "Hanabi! It's so early and you're waking me up?" Kagura yelled, sitting up. Hanabi smirked. "So you don't wanna hear what I got for you?" 

"What?" Kagura asked. Hanabi said, "I got the Chief to approve your marriage with that Hayabusa!" Kagura squealed and hugged Hanabi excitedly. Hanabi dragged her to Hayabusa's room and banged on the door. "Congrats!" she yelled. "You don't deserve such a thing but your marriage is approved!"

Kanamoto heard her from her room and smiled. She was staying in Hanabi's old room, after Hanabi had moved to Hanzo's former room. She had become good friends with them, and she dressed quickly before she went out. 

Kanamoto saw Hanabi and said something to her, before Hanabi went through the hall. She arrived at where Hanzo's body was buried, outside the big house. She sat down and swallowed, feeling her tears well up again. 

She blinked them back, and told Hanzo about Kagura and Hayabusa's marriage being approved as if he was still there. "Their marriage is approved. Everyone will be watching, of course." She didn't say anything for a while, then whispered, "I wish you are here." 

Hanabi was relieved that the village was now safe, but couldn't feel any of it anymore. She just felt sad, and she said softly, "Kanamoto told me something just now. She said that you didn't massacre my village." Hanabi let out a sob, and continued, "She only told me now because she thought I looked better. Why didn't you tell me? She asked, and you told her when you knocked me out at the restaurant." 

She covered her face with her hands, and whispered, "I miss you."

<Here ends [Mixed Feelings]>